Kireedam

This is not just one of the actor Mohanlal's best but also one of the best movies ever made as far as characterisation goes.The lead character Sethumadhavan played by Mohanlal, the honest cop cum father role by Thilakan, the local bigmouth goonda played by Haneefa, the short but sweet role of Sethumatdhavan's sweetheart played by Parvathi, the villain role of Keerikdan Jose are still etched in the memory of all who saw the film. Even now people will have a lump in their throat thinking about how Sethumadhavan's dreams and aspirations get crushed one by one. Might be people were able to see themselves in Sethumadhavn's shoes and realising that their dreams are being cut halfway through, left them with a sense of helplessness and pitiness, which in turn got translated into love for the character and the movie on the whole. The film was such a huge success as well as critically acclaimed that two more sequels were made with the same cast. Mohanlal got a National special jury award for his sensitive portrayal of Sethumadhavan, a character which will remain in the memory of many a cinemagoer for years.

The film as a whole is a painfully realistic depiction of Sethu's life and the way his youthful dreams were replaced by the horror of being offered an undesirable crown.Acting performances are noticeably excellent. May it be for the lead actors or the actors who handled smaller roles. Watch the film for the sharp performances by Mohanlal and Thilakan, may be, playing their roles of the lifetime.

I write this just a few minutes after I watched Kireedam for the first time. I am blown away by this film. After seeing films like Manichithrathazhu (1993), Manasinakkare (2003), and Kireedam, I have a totally new respect for Malayalam cinema. Because most Malayalam films are basically about super-hero men who walk around giving melodramatic speeches, I spent my whole life thinking that those silly Bollywood blockbusters were India's best films. But now I know better. While the Hindi film industry has offered some fine films (e.g., Dil Chahta Hai and Sholay), the majority of the best Indian movies I've seen are Malayalam films.

I became a Mohanlal fanatic after watching his performance in Mani Ratnam's criminally under-appreciated Iruvar (1997). For me, seeing Kireedam cements Mohanlal's position as one of India's top 2 or 3 greatest actors, if not the greatest.

What makes Kireedam so special is that it is completely plot-driven. As we all know, a completely plot-driven film is a rarity in Indian cinema, North or South. Also, this movie is an intense character study both of a young man whose bright future deteriorates before his very eyes and of a father (Thilakan) who is forced to watch helplessly as it happens. Before seeing Kireedam, I never realized how brilliant an actor Thilakan can be.

Kireedam is one of Indian cinema's best films, and it is a cultural treasure for every Malayalee. I actually think that I understand my parents' native Kerala much better now that I have seen this film.

The film which made me die-hard fan of Mohanlal. Plot written by A.k.Lohithdas & directed by Sibi malayil talks about a young aspiring lad who's life became a hell (his dream seems tumbling off) when circumstance were against him & ended as a noted criminal. A.K Lohithdas scrutiny developed script given each character depth subtly without any unnecessary scene. Mohanlal as a stoic protagonist just mesmerize me with his natural acting, he is natural at his best. To my reckon, this probably may be one among those movie to unleash Mohanlal as a omnipotent actor. Its pity that Mohanlal just got special jury instead of giving best actor. Thilkan as his father was equally superb. Climax scene showing the duo chemistry was arguably best acted ever. In climax Mohanlal makes myriad of emotion and his crumbling emotion will surely evoke oodle of tears. Others supporting actors given ample support which is demanded by them. Songs by Johnson was masterpiece especially Kaneer poovinte, never a keralite can forget this song. Director Sibi easily tow all the actors performance & remain as his laborious work. Movie is juxtaposed in 140 min. Standing ovation to stalwarts like Thilkan, A.k lohithdas & Johnson for their contribution till end.

I completely agree to your opinion on the movie. But to my limited knowledge, not many superb films have a comparable sequel to them. In this case, I would like you to watch Chenkol, the continuation of Kireedam. As a matter of fact, many viewers have rated Chenkol lower to Kireedam. Even I did, immediately after seeing the move. But after ruminating over it, I came to the conclusion that the movie could even be rated over kireedam. Just because it is next to impossible to be brutally honest to the theme,carry forward the script and portray it. So, to those who have not seem the film, I recommend Chenkol. You may, just may, have a disturbing time after watching it. But its worth it.